Antiburglar device

ABSTRACT

A MECHANISM FOR FIRING A GAS CARTRIDGE COMPRISNG A FRAME ADAPTED FOR FIXED ATTACHMENT IN THE PREMISES TO BE PROTECTED, AND A SPRING ACTUATED FIRING MECHANISM. A TRIGGER RELEASABLY HOLDS THE MECHANISM IN ITS COCKED POSITION UNTIL RELEASED BY EITHER AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN TENSION ON A TRIP ELEMENT DISPOSED TO BE MANIPULATED BY MOVEMENT OF AN INTRUDER ABOUT THE PREMISES. AN ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT INCLUDES A SOLENOID FOR RELEASING THE TRIGGER RESPONSIVE TO AN INTRUDER INITIATED CHANGE IN A CIRCUIT SUPPLYING ENERGY TO THE SOLENOID.

Sept. 20, 1971 F. E. BORTZFIELD 3,605,680

ANTIBURGLAR DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1970 WM/M INVENTOR. FRANK E. BORTZFIELD WwwM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,605,680 ANTIBURGLAR DEVICE Frank E. Bortzfield, L-14 Lake Lotawana, Lees Summit, Mo. 64063 Filed Jan. 26, 1970, Ser. No. 5,762 Int. Cl. G08b 13/08 U.S. Cl. 116-87 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mechanism for firing a gas cartridge comprising a frame adapted for fixed attachment in the premises to be protected, and a spring actuated firing mechanism. A trigger releasably holds the mechanism in its cocked position until released by either an increase or decrease in tension on a trip element disposed to be manipulated by movement of an intruder about the premises. An alternate embodiment includes a solenoid for releasing the trigger responsive to an intruder initiated change in a circuit supplying energy to the solenoid.

This invention relates to protective devices, and more particularly, to a mechanism for firing a gas cartridge responsive to movements initiated by an intruder.

Increasing frequency of crimes against property and the high cost and lack of effectiveness of caretaker protection has created a need for means for automatically protecting property against unlawful intrusion. It has been found that one effective means of protecting property which must be left unoccupied overnight or for other time periods is through use of explosive cartridges Which discharge a quantity of obnoxious gas such as tear gas or the like.

The release of gas of this type usually forces the intruder to retreat from his wrongful invasion of the premises in order to escape the disagreeable consequences which result from his exposure to the gas. Further, the unexpected and loud report made by the cartridge when it is fired has an unnerving effect on the intruder. This contributes to the effectiveness of the protection available from installations of this general type.

Various mechanisms have heretofore been suggested for releasing gas charges responsive to intruder initiated movements. These have taken the form of frangible vials of gas broken by movements such as the opening of a door or cartridge firing mechanisms operated by the removal of a structural member such as a bar of a window grating or the like.

One disadvantage of the mechanisms heretofore employed for this purpose is that they are relatively easily disarmed prior to activation by the intruder. Further, they may often be avoided, especially if the intruder gains access to the premises Without removing window gratings or other members containing the mechanisms. The frangible vial protective devices do not produce the audible reports which unnerve the intruder and which also serve as alarms calling attention to the intrusion and summoning protective assistance.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a gas cartridge firing device which may be quickly and easily installed and which includes actuating means capable of firing the cartridge responsive to efforts to disarm the device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which is highly versatile and which may be effectively utilized for protecting a variety of property such as buildings, automobiles or the like.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device which may be economically fabricated from ice readily available and inexpensive materials yet which is highly reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be quickly and easily uncocked to avoid inadvertent operation during periods of non-use, yet which may readily be re-activated by the operator while maintaining the characteristic of affording the intruder a relatively difiicult problem of de-activating the device without inadvertent firing of the gas cartridge.

These and other objects of the invention will be further explained or will become apparent from the drawing, description and claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of one type of installation of a device of this invention for protecting against unlawful opening of a window;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a device embodying the principles of this invention, parts being broken away and shown in cross-section to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the device of FIG. 2, alternate release positions of the trigger appearing in dash lines and dot-dash lines respectively;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, horizontal cross-sectional view through the device; and

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a modified form of the device having a solenoid actuator, parts being broken away and appearing in cross-section to reveal details of construction.

A mechanism embodying the principles of this invention is broadly designated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a frame 12 having a bottom plate 14 and an upwardly extending flange 16 integral with plate 14.

Plate 14 is bent upwardly to present an intermediate wall 18 extending in spaced parallelism from flange 16. A downwardly extending wall 20 is disposed in parallel relationship to wall 18 and a web 22 extending parallel with plate 14 interconnects at upper edges of Walls 18 and 20 respectively.

Wall 16 has an opening 24 extending transversely therethrough as shown in FIG. 4. An internally threaded retainer 26 in the nature of a nut or the like is rigidly secured to the inner surface of wall 16 in alignment with opening 24 to provide means for releasably mounting a cartridge 28 containing-an obnoxious gas such as tear gas or the like. Cartridges of this type are available commercially and comprise a gas containing cylinder 30 integral with a portion 32 of reduced diameter having external threads adapted to meet with the internal threads of retainer 26. Manifestly, a primer (not shown) is seated in portion 32 in position to be engaged by an impactive firing device.

The firing structure for mechanism 12 is broadly designated by the reference numeral 34 in FIG. 2 and comprises an elongated rigid member 36 in the nature of a transversely circular rod extending through a pair of aligned openings 38 in walls 20 and 18 respectively, only one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The openings 38 permit longitudinal sliding of member 36 relative to frame 12 toward and away from the primer of cartridge 28 when the latter is mounted in its firing position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

The end of member 36 proximal cartridge 28 is con figured to present a pointed firing pin 40 in position to impactively engage the primer of cartridge 28 for firing the latter. A spring 42 encircling member 36 engages Wall 18 and a retainer 44 mounted on member 36 for urging the member toward a position for bringing pin 40 into engagement with the cartridge primer.

An inwardly extending circumscribing groove 46 is formed in member 36 in position for receiving a trigger 48 when the member is in its cocked position. The end of member 36 remote from pin 40 has a laterally extending leg 50 to facilitate manual movement of member 36 to the cocked position against the bias of spring 42. Trigger 48 has a curvilinear cam edge 52 movable into groove 46 of member 36 when the latter is in the cocked position shown in FIG. 2. To this end, trigger 48 is mounted on wall 20 for pivoting movement about a pivot pin 54.

It should be noted at this juncture that edge 52 is cn centric to the axis of pivoting movement of trigger 48 so that the latter may be pivoted in either direction while edge 52 is engaged in groove 46.

If trigger 48 is pivoted about pin 54 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, edge 52 is removed from groove 46 when the trigger reaches a position approximately that illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 3. On the other hand, counterclockwise movement of trigger 48 to approximately the position shown in dot-dash lines of FIG. 3 moves edge 42 out of engagement with groove 46 by virtue of a downwardly extending or concave curved edge 56 spanning the distance between the pr ximal end of the convex edge 52 and the upwardly extending arm 58 of trigger 48. In other words, alignment f edge 56 with member 36 also releases the member.

A tension spring 60 extends between leg 58 of trigger 48 and portion 22 of frame 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Spring 60 provides an ever present biasing force tending to urge pivoting movement of the trigger in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. An elongated element 62 which may be in the nature of a trip wire, string or the like has one end secured to leg 58 of trigger 48. The other end of element 62 is adapted to be secured in a fixed position about the premises to be protected by this mechanism so that the trigger can be held against pivoting under the influence of spring 60. It will be apparent that a force exerted on spring 60 will have the eifect of pulling the trigger to pivot the same in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Should the force exerted by element 62 be released, the. force of spring 60 then pivots trigger 48 in the opposite or counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3.

Mecahnism is adapted to be installed wherever desired in a strategic location about the premises to be protected. Mounting means such as screws 64 may be used for attaching the frame in any fixed position. Member 36 is shifted to the cocked position and trigger 48 is moved substantially to the full line position shown in FIG. 3 with edge 52 extending into groove 46 for releasably retaining the firing structure in the cocked position. The end of element 62 remote from trigger 48 is anchored so that the element holds the trigger in its locking position.

It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that element 62 may extend in any of a variety of directions and across any portion of the premises likely to be traversed by an intruder. For example, the installation shown merely for illustration in FIG. 1 comprises a location for mechanism 10 on the sill 66 of a window. The outermost end of element 62 is secured to a first frame 68 of the Window which is likely to be moved relative to th second frame 70 thereof by an intruder seeking to gain access to the premises. In the installation illustrated, a direction changing device 72 in the nature of a pulley, screw eye or the like is installed on the sill 66 adjacent mechanism 10 so that the element exerts a force on trigger 48 opposing the force of spring 60 at all times and irrespective of the direction of element 62.

It will be clear from the foregoing description that movement of window frame 68 in a direction to open the latter will exert a pulling force on trigger 48 tending to rotate the same about its pivot pin in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. This movement releases member 36 which is driven forwardly by spring 42 for impactive engagement of the firing pin against the cartridge primer. This, of course, fires the cartr dge to expel the gas charge.

Cit

If the intruder should happen to detect the presence of element 62 and attempt to avoid the firing of a cartridge by cutting the element after, for example, breaking one of the panes of the window, spring 60 is free to pivot trigger 48 in the opposite direction which also results in the firing of the cartridge by action of the mechanism.

It will be recognized that a multitude of different positions for element 62 might be utilized. For example, the element might be extended across a corridor or pathway likely to be traversed by the intruder where the latter is apt to trip against the element to impart a pulling force for firing the mechanism. Further, a number of mechanisms 10 may be connected in battery with the elements interconnected in a manner for firing a plurality of cartridges responsive to tampering with the elements in an attempt to avoid the consequences attendant upon the firing of the gas cartridges.

Mechanism 10 can be quickly and easily disarmed simply by removing the cartridge therefrom. Further, after use, an expended cartridge can be quickly and easily exchanged for a loaded cartridge. Alternatively, the mechanism may be disarmed by manually easing the member 36 to its fired position with the trigger shifted and in a manner to eliminate impact of the firing pin against the primer.

It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that the mechanisms 10 described above are not only simple to operate but also possess the characteristics of difficulty in disarming by attempts to manipulate the actuator means such as element 62. The mechanisms may also be economically fabricated from relatively inexpensive, commercially available materials without the necessity for expensive machining operations and the requirement for relatively skilled labor. They are substantially foolproof and require little or no maintenance or operator attention. They are highly versatile and may be installed in a multitude of locations and in a variety of ways for foiling attempts by intruders to gain access to or to operate within or about the premises protected by the mechanisrns.

An alternate actuating structure for mechanism 18 is illustrated in FIG. 5. The mechanism 10 in FIG. 5 may be constructed substantially similar to the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. l-4 with the exception of the elimination of spring 60 and the addition of electrically operated device 74 such as a solenoid or the like. Trigger 148 may be shaped generally as shown in FIG. 5 in lieu of the use of trigger 48 described above.

Trigger 148 is pivoted on pin 154 and has a leg 157 extending at an angle from the upwardly extending leg 158. A notch 156 in the outer edge of leg 157 is adapted to complementally embrace member 36 when leg 157 is received in the circumscribing groove 76 and the movable armature 78 of device 74 is operably coupled with leg 158 of trigger 148 by means of a link 80 pivoted at opposite ends to leg 158 and armature 78 respectively. Electrical energy for operating device 74 is provided by a power cord 82 adapted to be electrically coupled with a source of electrical energy (not shown).

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is particularly well suited for use in protecting property such as an automobile or the like. The mechanism may be installed in any desired location such as under the automobile dash. Power for operating device 74 can be supplied from the vehicle electrical circuit and switch means (not shown) can be installed for either providing energy to device 74 or interrupting the flow of energy therethrough as may be found most desirable. It is well known that solenoids are available for moving their armatures in either direction responsive to energizing or de-energizing of the solenoids. Manifestly, solenoid movement in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 tending to pivot trigger 148 in a clockwise direction as shown in the figure will result in release of member 36 for firing the mechanism.

One typical illustration might include a switch interposed in the vehicle ignition system and coupled with solenoid 74 so that an unauthorized attempt to start the engine by switching on the ignition switch would energize ger to withdraw the convex cam edge from the member to free the cartridge. 2. A mechanism for protecting premises by firing a gas cartridge responsive to unauthorized movement at the solenoid 74 to fire the cartridge. This would not only premises, said device comprising:

discourage the further activities of the intruder but the report from the firing of the cartridge could have the effect of summoning protective assistance. Obviously, such an arrangement could include a switch for disabling the cartridge firing mechanism by the owner of the vehicle prior to authorized operation of the ignition switch.

It will now be apparent to those skilled in this art that the mechanism of FIG. 5 can also be used in a multitude of arrangements other than the one specifically described hereinabove. These could include switches operable upon unauthorized opening of doors, glove box compartment closures or the like, all of which could be easily interposed in the energy supplying circuit for device 74 to initiate the firing of the protecting mechanism responsive to unauthorized operation of these components.

Further, it will also be apparent that either the form of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-4 or the form shown in FIG. 5 could be installed in buildings or either could be installed in automobiles or similar property sought to be protected.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A mechanism for firing a gas cartridge comprising:

a frame;

means on the frame adapted to releasably mount a gas cartridge in firing position;

an elongated, rigid member mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from said firing position;

a firing pin carried by the member in disposition to engage the cartridge when the member is moved to said firing position;

a trigger pivotally secured to the frame for movement toward and away from the member, the latter having a circumferential groove disposed to receive the trigger for releasably holding the member against movement to said firing position, the trigger having a convex cam edge concentric with the axis of pivoting movement of the trigger and disposed to extend into the groove for holding the member against longitudinal movement, the trigger being cut away at each end of the convex cam edge to clear the member upon pivoting of the trigger in either direction about its axis to withdraw the edge from the groove;

first spring means engaging the rod and frame respectively for urging the member toward said firing position;

second spring means secured to the frame and to the trigger urging the latter to a position with the convex cam edge clearing the member; and

an elongated element secured to the trigger and adapted to releasably hold the trigger against the force of said second spring means, whereby either pulling or releasing said element results in pivoting of the triga frame;

means carried by the frame and adapted to releasably mount a gas cartridge in position to be fired;

firing structure including a firing member, means mounting the member to the frame for movement beween a cocked position and a firing position, and spring means biasing the member toward said firing position;

a trigger pivotally coupled to the frame for movement toward and away from the member;

means carried by the member and engageable by the trigger for releasably holding the pin in said cocked position, said trigger being configured to disengage from said holding means upon movement of the trigger in either direction about its pivoting point;

a spring secured to the trigger for biasing the latter in one direction; and

an element adapted to be fixed at one end and having the other end thereof secured to the trigger for releasably holding the trigger in engagement with said holding means against the bias of said spring and for moving the trigger in the other direction to release the member responsive to a pull on said element as a result of said unauthorized movement.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said member is an elongated rod aligned with said firing position and mounted for reciprocable movement toward and away from said position,

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said holding means includes a groove in said member and disposed to releasably receive the trigger.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein is included an arm rigidly secured to the member and extending laterally therefrom in disposition to facilitate manual cocking of said firing structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,173 1/1905 Merritt 292-341.16 1,005,844 10/1911 Jones 116-89 1,062,084 5/1913 Desbecker 292-201X 1,328,559 1/1920 Brown 116-87 1,603,787 10/1926 Menchen 116-89 2,321,591 6/1943 Gardner 292-201 2,570,438 10/1951 Flagge et a1. 116-81 2,970,560 2/1961 Perrin 116-88 3,489,121 1/1970 McCabe et al 116-88 LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 116-105 

